10 First Lesson of Training

It was 10 past 5, and Bruce had finally finished the last of his deliveries. He rode through the streets on his little moped back to Auntie Ming's restaurant. Pulling up to the parking lot, he took off his helmet and walked inside.

"Ah, you're back youngin'," Aunt Ling said, cleaning the tables to close. She didn't want to keep her restaurant open past 6 due to the increased crime activity in Gotham.

"Later than usual," he smiled. "Do you need help, Auntie?"

"I'm okay! My husband and I will hold the fort down. I don't want to hold you up anymore, so you can leave."

"Are you sure? I can sweep the floors."

"Ai~ don't work too hard, youngin'! Go get some rest!" She answered vehemently.

"Alright, alright, then I will see you tomorrow, auntie," after bidding his farewells, he left the restaurants and went back home.

As Bruce climbed the stairs to his apartment room, he noticed Barbara leaning by his door, arms crossed and tapping her foot impatiently.

"You're late," She suddenly noticed the martial artist.

"Work is work," he replied nonchalantly.

"Well, hurry it up so I can kick your butt already."

The keys jingled as Bruce pulled them out of his pocket and unlocked the door, "Why don't we step inside first- get ourselves some drinks and relax a little."

"C'mon, Bruce," Barbara groaned. "You promised that you'll train me at 5. It's already 5:20."

"Are you always this whiny?" Bruce chuckled, thumping her on the side of her head.

"Wha- I'm not whiny! I'm just a very punctual girl," she quickly retorted.

"Whatever you say. Alright, stay right there. I will go change first, then I will teach you," Bruce was about to close the door until Barbara stopped him.

"What about my drink?"

Bruce Lee sighed, trying to keep himself calm, "Then get inside, why don't you?"

Her lips widened into a grin as Barbara happily made her way into his apartment. Ten minutes later, the two of them were up on the rooftops. Bruce Lee had brought pads and gloves for sparring practice.

They first began with some stretches and warm-ups to get their bodies up to speed, prevent any sprains and injuries.

"Ready?" Bruce Lee asked.

"Always," Barbara answered confidently.

"Then we'll start with some footwork movements," he said, getting into a stance. His feet were tapping the ground as if he was dancing. "Move with me."

"Move with you?" She asked with a bit of confusion present on her face.

Bruce suddenly moved in close to Barbara, dropping her to the floor with a palm to the chest, "Yes, move with me."

"I wasn't even ready for that!"

"Do you think your opponent will care?" Bruce Lee retorted. "Now move with me. Feel the rhythm of the fight. Finding distance is key."

Barbara snorted and got back up from the floor. This time she was ready. She got into a stance. The rooftops grew silent as the two of them stared at each other. Waiting, planning. Bruce Lee suddenly moved forward. Barbara quickly reacted by shifting back.

"Not bad, not bad," Bruce Lee said. "But, don't simply move for the sake of moving - Watch your opponent and move with him. Keep that distance."

Barbara nodded silently as he went on. They went on for several minutes. Bruce would often move forward and backwards or approach her laterally, getting her to loosen up her rigid form.

Barbara was getting the hang of it. She was used to fighting common thugs. However, she sometimes had her ability tested before. Catwoman, Robin, Harley Quinn. They all had pushed her, but it was usually never overwhelming.

But, Bruce was more than that. He was the real deal. A massive wall that stood in her way. Like Batman.

"Very good. Let's move on," Bruce picked up pads from the floor and held them up. "Go ahead. Kick me."

"Alrighty, then," Barbara positioned herself closer to him. "Hah!" She slammed a roundhouse kick squarely on the pads.

"Again."

"Hah!" She threw another hard kick.

"Harder."

And she did. It went on until Barbara couldn't throw another kick anymore. She dropped to the floor soaked in sweat. This was a lot tougher than she had expected.

"What are you doing on the floor?" Bruce Lee asked. "Start kicking with your other leg."

"Can I- just rest- a bit?" She said through haggard breaths. A little rest would be perfect.

"I've seen Thai guys who've done way more than this. This is nothing. Now, get up," he demanded.

"Ugh..." She lazily got up from the floor. "Why can't we just spar already? I could get much better results than repeatedly kicking a pad the whole time."

"To hone your techniques. Sparring is good, but to be the best, you must practice diligently to perfect your form. After all, practicing a kick a thousand times is better than practicing a thousand different kicks one time."

"Fine.." Barbara wouldn't argue with him. He was a much better fighter than her. She suddenly threw another kick, this time with less power than usual.

"What happened to that crime-fighting spirit? Don't tell me you have decided to massage your opponents instead?" Bruce frowned. He needed to push her even more.

"But... I'm so tired," she answered.

"Your opponents will not let you rest; you have to give it your all. Now, show me who Batgirl is!" He continued to motivate her.

"Oh... I'll show ya," Barbara said, taking in deep breaths. After another round of fierce kicks, Barbara collapsed to the floor again. She was dead tired, and her legs felt sore.

Damn, was she always this tired?

Soon, a shadow loomed over her, blocking out the setting sun. It was Bruce.

"Here," he handed her a water bottle.

"Thanks," she took the water bottle and quickly chugged it all down. How refreshing.

"You did good, your kicks are quick and powerful," he complimented her, sitting down by the wall.

"Gee... I couldn't be more happy," Barbara said sarcastically, sitting next to him. Both of them were drawn towards the sunset, staring at it in silence. Orange hues painted across the skies in bright shades.

"Do you miss home?" Barbara suddenly asked.

"Always," he answered. "I want to see my wife and kids again."

"I see..." Barbara looked down, twiddling with her fingers. "Must be hard on you being away from them."

Bruce was silent, only finding solace at the sunset. Barbara bit down on her lips. She knew what he was going through, yet she felt helpless to do anything about it. She won't be able to solve it with punches this time.

"Your kids... what were their names?" She tried to make conversation again. Keep him talking. Help him out even if it was just a little.

"Brandun and Shannon Lee. One nine, the other four years old."

"I bet they were quite the badasses like their dad," she said.

Bruce Lee chuckled, reminiscing on the past, "They certainly had the spirit of martial arts."

This is what Barbara would rather see from him. A man who could still smile no matter what happened.

"With a dad like you, I'm sure they would be the best," she smiled at him.

Bruce stood back up again, strapping both pads back on his arms. His mood seemed a lot better, too.

"If you have time to talk, then you have time to train. Now, get up."

"Round two it is then," she said with renewed vigor. She would try to do better this time and make him proud.